Liquid personal cleansing composition containing cationic polymeric skin conditioning agent

ABSTRACT

A liquid personal cleansing composition comprising: (a) from about 1% to about 15% by weight of short chain alkyl sulphate surfactant having an average of from 8 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain and mixtures thereof; (b) from about 1% to about 60% by weight of water-soluble auxiliary surfactant selected from anionic surfactant other than C 8  to C 10  alkyl sulphate, nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof; (c) from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of cationic polymeric skin conditioning agent; and (d) water. The products demonstrate excellent in-use efficacy benefits including mildness, a moisturised skin feel, excellent rinsibility and good product stability and lather attributes.

The present invention relates to cleansing compositions. In particularit relates to mild personal cleansing compositions with good skin feelattributes, rinsing behaviour and foaming properties which are suitablefor simultaneously cleansing and conditioning the skin and/or the hairand which may be used, for example, in the form of foam bathpreparations, shower products, skin cleansers, hand, face and bodycleansers, shampoos, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mild cosmetic compositions must satisfy a number of criteria includingcleansing power, foaming properties and mildness/low irritancy/good feelwith respect to the skin, hair and the ocular mucosae. Skin is made upof several layers of cells which coat and protect the keratin andcollagen fibrous proteins that form the skeleton of its structure. Theoutermost of these layers, referred to as the stratum corneum, is knownto be composed of 250 Å protein bundles surrounded by 80 Å thick layers.Hair similarly has a protective outer coating enclosing the hair fibrewhich is called the cuticle. Anionic surfactants can penetrate thestratum corneum membrane and the cuticle and, by delipidization destroymembrane integrity. This interference with skin and hair protectivemembranes can lead to a rough skin feel and eye irritation and mayeventually permit the surfactant to interact with the keratin and hairproteins creating irritation and loss of barrier and water retentionfunctions.

Ideal cosmetic cleansers should cleanse the skin or hair gently, withoutdefatting and/or drying the hair and skin and without irritating theocular mucosae or leaving skin taut after frequent use. Most latheringsoaps, shower and bath products, shampoos and bars fail in this respect.

Certain synthetic surfactants are known to be mild. However, a majordrawback of most mild synthetic surfactant systems when formulated forshampooing or personal cleansing is poor lather performance compared tothe highest shampoo and bar soap standards. Thus, surfactants that areamong the mildest are marginal in lather. The use of known high sudsinganionic surfactants such as alkyl sulphates with lather boosters, on theother hand, can yield acceptable lather volume and quality but at theexpense of clinical skin mildness. These two facts make the surfactantselection, the lather and mildness benefit formulation process adelicate balancing act.

Thus a need exists for personal cleansing products which deliveracceptable in-use skin feel characteristics but which will not dehydratethe skin or result in loss of skin suppleness, which will provide alevel of skin conditioning performance in a wash and rinse-off productwhich previously has only been provided by a separate post-cleansingcosmetic moisturizer, which demonstrate desirable rinsing behaviour andwhich will produce a foam which is stable and of high quality, which areeffective hair and skin cleansers, which have good rinsibilitycharacteristics, and which at the same time have stable product andviscosity characteristics and remain fully stable under long term andstressed temperature storage conditions.

It has now been found that personal cleansing compositions havingimproved skin feel and moisturisation attributes, both in use and afteruse, which deliver desirable rinsing benefits and good product stabilitycan be formed by the combination of short chain alkyl sulphates withcationic polymers and mild surfactants and/or nonionic surfactants.Surprisingly, the combination of short chain (high CMC) alkyl sulphateand cationic polymer is particularly advantageous for skin mildnessbenefits and at the same time provides good lathering characteristicsespecially in applications which involve concentrated usage or directapplication to skin such as shower products, hand and skin cleansers andthe like. It has also been found that combinations of short chain alkylsulphates with particular alkyl ethoxysulphate surfactants conferparticular benefits in personal cleansing compositions in terms ofmildness and rinsing characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the present invention is a mild, foam-producing, easilyrinsed, stable cleansing product suitable for personal cleansing of theskin or hair and which may be used as shower products, skin cleansersand shampoos etc. According to one aspect of the invention, there isprovided a liquid personal cleansing composition comprising:

(a) from about 1% to about 15% by weight of short chain alkyl sulphatesurfactant having an average of from 8 to 10 carbon atoms on the alkylchain and mixtures thereof;

(b) from about 1% to about 60% by weight of water-soluble auxiliarysurfactant selected from anionic surfactant other than C₈ to C₁₀ alkylsulphate, nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants and mixturesthereof;

(c) from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of cationic polymeric skinconditioning agent; and

(d) water

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apersonal cleansing composition comprising:

(a) from about 1% to about 15% by weight of short chain alkyl sulphatesurfactant having on average from 8 to 10 carbon atoms on the alkylchain and mixtures thereof;

(b) from about 1% to about 15% by weight of C₁₂ to C₂₂ alkyl ethoxysulphate surfactant having an average degree of ethoxylation of fromabout 1 to about 6;

(c) from about 0.1% to about 10% of water-soluble auxiliary surfactantselected from anionic surfactant other than C₈ to C₁₀ alkyl sulphate,nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric and mixtures thereof; andoptionally

(d) from about 0.01% to about 5% of cationic conditioning polymer; and

(e) water.

wherein the ratio of short chain alkyl sulphate to alkyl ethoxy sulphateis in the range of from about 1:3 to about 3:1, more preferably fromabout 2:1 to about 1:2.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided apersonal cleansing composition comprising:

(a) from about 1% to about 15% by weight of short chain alkyl sulphatesurfactant having on average from 8 to 10 carbon atoms on the alkylchain and mixtures thereof;

(b) from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of a nonionic polyhydroxyfatty acid amide surfactant having the general formula (II). ##STR1##wherein R₈ is C₅ -C₃₁ hydrocarbyl, R₉ is C₁ -C₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyland Z₂ is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety.

(c) from about 1% to about 60% by weight of water-soluble auxiliarysurfactant selected from anionic surfactant other than C₈ to C₁₀ alkylsulphate, other nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants andmixtures thereof;

(d) water.

In a highly preferred embodiment, the invention takes the form of a foamproducing liquid cleansing composition with superior skin feel andmildness characteristics, excellent rinsing behaviour, improvedperceived dryness and expertly graded dryness and skin hydrationmeasurements and trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), combined withexcellent lathering, good stability, cleansing ability and conditioningperformance.

All concentrations and ratios herein are by weight of the cleansingcomposition, unless otherwise specified. Surfactant chain lengths arealso on a weight average chain length basis, unless otherwise specified.

The liquid cleansing compositions herein are based on a combination ofshort chain alkyl sulphates with other mild surfactants and polymericskin conditioning agents. Preferred embodiments also contain perfume orcosmetic oils.

The compositions of the present invention contain, as an essentialcomponent, a short chain alkyl sulphate surfactant where `short chain`as defined herein means an average carbon chain length of C₁₀ or less.The short chain alkyl sulphate surfactants of the present invention arevaluable in shower gel compositions for the delivery of improved skinmildness attributes and product rinsing benefits in combination with adesirable lather profile. Alkyl sulphate surfactants suitable forinclusion in the compositions of the present invention have the generalformula (I);

    R--SO.sub.3 --M

wherein R is straight or branched chain alkyl, preferably straightchain, containing on average from about 8 to about 10 carbon atoms,preferably about 10 carbon atoms and wherein M is selected from alkalimetals, ammonium or other suitable monovalent cation or mixturesthereof. It should be understood that the definition of any particularcarbon chain length, say C₈ is an average value and as such may containcertain proportions of both higher and lower carbon chain lengths as adirect function of its synthesis. The level of such material can beachieved by modification of the process and the nature of the startingmaterials. While C₁₀ alkyl sulphate is the preferred surfactant in thecompositions of the invention mixtures of short chain alkyl sulphatesmay also be used. Especially preferred in the compositions herein is C₁₀alkyl sulphate material containing at least about 80% by weight of theC₁₀, preferably at least about 90% C₁₀, more preferably at least about95% C₁₀ and especially at least about 99% C₁₀ alkyl sulphate. Suitableshort chain alkyl sulphate materials are available from Albright andWilson under the trade names Empicol LC35 and Empicol 0758F. The shortchain alkyl sulphate is present in the compositions herein described ata level of from about 1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 2% toabout 5% by weight.

As a further essential feature the compositions of the present inventioncomprise a mild surfactant system of water-soluble auxiliarysurfactants. Mild surfactants suitable for inclusion in compositionsaccording to the present invention generally have a lipophilic chainlength of from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms and can be selectedfrom anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants andmixtures thereof. The total level of auxiliary surfactant is preferablyfrom about 3% to about 40%, more preferably from about 4% to about 20%,and especially from about 5% to about 15% by weight. The compositionspreferably comprise a mixture of anionic with zwitterionic and/oramphoteric surfactants. The level of the individual auxiliary anionic,zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactant components, where present, is inthe range from about 1% to about 15%, and especially from about 2% toabout 13% by weight of the composition, while the level of nonionicsurfactant, where present, is in the range from about 0.1% to about 20%by weight, preferably from about 0.5% to about 16%, more preferably fromabout 1% to about 12% by weight. The weight ratio of auxiliary anionicsurfactant: zwitterionic and/or amphoteric surfactant is in the rangefrom about 1:2 to about 6:1. Other suitable compositions within thescope of the invention comprise mixtures of anionic, zwitterionicand/for amphoteric surfactants with one or more nonionic surfactants.Preferred for use herein are soluble or dispersible nonionic surfactantsselected from ethoxylated animal and vegetable oils and fats andmixtures thereof, sometimes referred to herein as "oil-derived" nonionicsurfactants.

Auxiliary anionic surfactants suitable for inclusion in the compositionsof the invention can generally be described as mild synthetic detergentsurfactants and include ethoxylated alkyl sulphates, alkyl glycerylether sulfonates, methyl acyl taurates, fatty acyl glycinates, N-acylglutamates, acyl isethionates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkylethoxysulphosuccinates, alpha-sulfonated fatty acids, their salts and/ortheir esters, alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, alkyl phosphate esters,ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters, alkyl sulphates, acyl sarcosinatesand fatty acid/protein condensates, and mixtures thereof. Alkyl and/oracyl chain lengths for these surfactants are C₁₂ -C₂₂, preferably C₁₂-C₁₈ more preferably C₁₂ -C₁₄.

Preferred for use herein from the viewpoint of optimum mildness andlathering characteristics are the salts of sulfuric acid esters of thereaction product of 1 mole of a higher fatty alcohol and from about 1 toabout 12 moles of ethylene oxide, with sodium and magnesium being thepreferred counterions. Particularly preferred are the alkyl sulfatescontaining from about 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 4 moles of ethylene oxide,such as sodium laureth-2 sulfate, sodium laureth-3 sulfate and magnesiumsodium laureth-3.6 sulfate and especially preferred is sodium laureth-3sulphate. In preferred embodiments, the anionic surfactant contains atleast about 50%, especially at least about 75% by weight of ethoxylatedalkyl sulfate.

In addition to the broad range ethoxylated alkyl sulphates obtained viaconventional sodium catalysed ethoxylation techniques and subsequentsulphation processes, ethoxylated alkyl sulphates obtained from narrowrange ethoxylates (NREs) are particularly suitable for use in thepresent compositions. Narrow range ethoxylated alkyl sulphates areparticularly valuable in the compositions of the invention for thedelivery of improved skin mildness and product lather attributes. Narrowrange ethoxylated alkyl sulphates suitable for use herein are selectedfrom sulphated alkyl ethoxylates containing on average from about 1 toabout 6, preferably from about 2 to about 4 and especially about 3 molesof ethylene oxide such as NRE sodium laureth-3 sulphate. NRE materialssuitable for use herein contain distributions of the desired ethyleneoxide (EO_(n)) in the ranges of from 15% to about 30% by weight ofEO_(n), from about 10% to about 20% by weight of EO_(n+1) and from about10% to about 20% by weight of EO_(n-1). Highly preferred NRE materialscontain less than about 5% by weight of ethoxylated alkyl sulphatehaving 6 or more moles of ethylene oxide and less than about 5% byweight of non-ethoxylated alkyl sulphate.

The compositions of the invention can also comprise an auxiliarywater-soluble nonionic surfactant at levels from about 0.1% to about20%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, and especially fromabout 1% to about 8% by weight. Surfactants of this class includeC12-C14 fatty acid mono-and diethanolamides, sucrose polyestersurfactants and polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants having thegeneral formula (II). ##STR2##

The preferred N-alkyl, N-alkoxy or N-aryloxy, polyhydroxy fatty acidamide surfactants according to formula (IX) are those in which R₈ is C₅-C₃₁ hydrocarbyl, preferably C₆ -C₁₉ hydrocarbyl, includingstraight-chain and branched chain alkyl and alkenyl, or mixtures thereofand R₉ is typically C₁ -C₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, preferably methyl, ora group of formula --R¹ --O--R² wherein R¹ is C₂ -C₈ hydrocarbylincluding straight-chain, branched-chain and cyclic (including aryl),and is preferably C₂ -C₄ alkylene, R² is C₁ -C₈ straight-chain,branched-chain and cyclic hydrocarbyl including aryl and oxyhydrocarbyl,and is preferably C₁ -C₄ alkyl, especially methyl, or phenyl. Z₂ is apolyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with atleast 2 (in the case of glyceraldehyde) or at least 3 hydroxyls (in thecase of other reducing sugars) directly connected to the chain, or analkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof.Z₂ preferably will be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductiveamination reaction, most preferably Z₂ is a glycityl moiety. Suitablereducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose,mannose, and xylose, as well as glyceraldehyde. As raw materials, highdextrose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and high maltose cornsyrup can be utilized as well as the individual sugars listed above.These corn syrups may yield a mix of sugar components for Z₂. It shouldbe understood that it is by no means intended to exclude other suitableraw materials. Z₂ preferably will be selected from the group consistingof --CH₂ --(CHOH)_(n) --CH₂ OH, --CH(CH₂ OH)--CHOH)_(n-1) --CH₂ H, CH₂(CHOH)₂ (CHOR')CHOH)--CH₂ OH, where n is an integer from 1 to 5,inclusive, and R' is H or a cyclic mono- or poly-saccharide, andalkoxylated derivatives thereof. As noted, most preferred are glycitylswherein n is 4, particularly --CH₂ --(CHOH)₄ --CH₂ OH.

The most preferred polyhydroxy fatty acid amide has the formula R₈(CO)N(CH₃)CH₂ (CHOH)₄ CH₂ OH wherein R₈ is a C6-C19 straight chain alkylor alkenyl group. In compounds of the above formula, R₈ --CO--N< can be,for example, cocoamide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide,capricamide, palmiamide, tallowamide, etc.

A preferred process for making the above compounds having formula (II)comprises reacting a fatty acid triglyceride with an N-substitutedpolyhydroxy amine in the substantial absence of lower (C₁ -C₄) alcoholicsolvent, but preferably with an alkoxylated alcohol or alkoxylated alkylphenol such as NEODOL and using an alkoxide catalyst at temperatures offrom about 50° C. to about 140° C. to provide high yields (90-98%) ofthe desired products. Suitable processes for making the desiredpolyhydroxy fatty acid amide compounds are outlined in U.S. Pat. No.5,194,639 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,891.

The compositions for use herein suitably also contain a water-solubleauxiliary amphoteric surfactant. Amphoteric surfactants suitable for usein the compositions of the invention include:

(a) imidazolinium surfactants of formula (III) ##STR3## wherein R₁ is C₇-C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl, R₂ is hydrogen or CH₂ Z, each Z is independentlyCO₂ M or CH₂ CO₂ M, and M is H, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal,ammonium or alkanolammonium; and/or ammonium derivatives of formula (IV)##STR4## wherein R₁, R₂ and Z are as defined above; (b) aminoalkanoatesof formula (V)

    R.sub.1 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.n CO.sub.2 M

iminodialkanoates of formula (VI)

    R.sub.1 N[(CH.sub.2).sub.m CO.sub.2 M].sub.2

and iminopolyalkanoates of formula (VII) ##STR5## wherein n, m, p, and qare numbers from 1 to 4, and R₁ and M are independently selected fromthe groups specified above; and

(c) mixtures thereof.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants of type (a) are marketed under the tradename Miranol and Empigen and are understood to comprise a complexmixture of species. Traditionally, the Miranols have been described ashaving the general formula III, although the CTFA Cosmetic IngredientDictionary, 3rd Edition indicates the non-cyclic structure IV while the4th Edition indicates yet another structural isomer in which R₂ isO-linked rather than N-linked. In practice, a complex mixture of cyclicand non-cyclic species is likely to exist and both definitions are givenhere for sake of completeness. Preferred for use herein, however, arethe non-cyclic species.

Examples of suitable amphoteric surfactants of type (a) includecompounds of formula III and/or IV in which R₁ is C₈ H₁₇ (especiallyiso-capryl), C₉ H₁₉ and C₁₁ H₂₃ alkyl. Especially preferred are thecompounds in which R₁ is C₉ H₁₉, Z is CO₂ M and R₂ is H; the compoundsin which R₁ is C₁₁ H₂₃, Z is CO₂ M and R₂ is CH₂ CO₂ M; and thecompounds in which R₁ is C₁₁ H₂₃, Z is CO₂ M and R₂ is H.

In CTFA nomenclature, materials suitable for use in the presentinvention include cocoamphocarboxypropionate, cocoamphocarboxy propionicacid, and especially cocoamphoacetate and cocoamphodiacetate (otherwisereferred to as cocoamphocarboxyglycinate). Specific commercial productsinclude those sold under the trade names of Ampholak 7TX (sodium carboxymethyl tallow polypropyl amine), Empigen CDL60 and CDR 60 (Albright &Wilson), Miranol H2M Conc. Miranol C2M Conc. N.P., Miranol C2M Conc.O.P., Miranol C2M SF, Miranol CM Special (Rhone-Poulenc); Alkateric 2CIB(Alkaril Chemicals); Amphoterge W-2 (Lonza, Inc.); Monateric CDX-38,Monateric CSH-32 (Mona Industries); Rewoteric AM-2C (Rewo ChemicalGroup); and Schercotic MS-2 (Scher Chemicals).

It will be understood that a number of commercially-available amphotericsurfactants of this type are manufactured and sold in the form ofelectroneutral complexes with, for example, hydroxide counterions orwith anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactants, especially those of thesulfated C₈ -C₁₈ alcohol, C₈ -C₁₈ ethoxylated alcohol or C₈ -C₁₈ acylglyceride types. Preferred from the viewpoint of mildness and productstability, however, are compositions which are essentially free of(non-ethoxylated) sulfated alcohol surfactants. Note also that theconcentrations and weight ratios of the amphoteric surfactants are basedherein on the uncomplexed forms of the surfactants, any anionicsurfactant counterions being considered as part of the overall anionicsurfactant component content.

Examples of preferred amphoteric surfactants of type (b) include N-alkylpolytrimethylene poly-, carboxymethylamines sold under the trade namesAmpholak X07 and Ampholak 7CX by Berol Nobel and also salts, especiallythe triethanolammonium salts and salts of N-lauryl-beta-amino propionicacid and N-lauryl-imino-dipropionic acid. Such materials are sold underthe trade name Deriphat by Henkel and Mirataine by Rhone-Poulenc.

The compositions herein can also contain from about 0.1% to about 20%,more preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, and especially from about1% to about 8% of a zwitterionic surfactant.

Water-soluble auxiliary betaine surfactants suitable for inclusion inthe compositions of the present invention include alkyl betaines of theformula R₅ R₆ R₇ N⁺ (CH₂)_(n) CO₂ M (VIII) and amido betaines of theformula (IX) ##STR6## wherein R₅ is C₁₁ -C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl, R₆ and R₇are independently C₁ -C₃ alkyl, M is H, alkali metal, alkaline earthmetal, ammonium or alkanolammonium, and n, m are each numbers from 1 to4. Preferred betaines include cocoamidopropyldimethylcarboxymethylbetaine, laurylamidopropyldimethylcarboxymethyl betaine and Tego betaine(RTM).

Water-soluble auxiliary sultaine surfactants suitable for inclusion inthe compositions of the present invention include alkyl sultaines of theformula (X); ##STR7## wherein R₁ is C₇ to C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl, R₂ andR₃ are independently C₁ to C₃ alkyl, M is H, alkali metal, alkalineearth metal, ammonium or alkanolammonium and m and n are numbers from 1to 4. Preferred for use herein is coco amido propylhydroxy sultaine.

Water-soluble auxiliary amine oxide surfactants suitable for inclusionin the compositions of the present invention include alkyl amine oxideR₅ R₆ R₇ NO and amido amine oxides of the formula (XI) ##STR8## whereinR₅ is C₁₁ to C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl, R₆ and R₇ are independently C₁ to C₃alkyl, M is H, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium oralkanolammonium and m is a number from 1 to 4. Preferred amine oxidesinclude cocoamidopropylamine oxide, lauryl dimethyl amine oxide andmyristyl dimethyl amine oxide.

The compositions according to the present invention can also a skinconditioning cationic polymer. The cationic polymer is valuable in thecompositions according to the present invention for provision of skinfeel attributes and for improved rheology and applicationcharacteristics in the presence of the hydrophobically modifiedcellulose ether moiety. The polymeric skin conditioning agent ispreferably present at a level from about 0.01% to about 5%, preferablyfrom about 0.01% to about 3% and especially from about 0.01% to about 2%by weight.

Suitable polymers are high molecular weight materials (mass-averagemolecular weight determined, for instance, by light scattering, beinggenerally from about 2,000 to about 5,000,000, preferably from about5,000 to about 3,000,000 more preferably from 100,000 to about1,000,000).

Representative classes of polymers include cationic polysaccharides;cationic homopolymers and copolymers derived from acrylic and/ormethacrylic acid; cationic cellulose resins; cationic copolymers ofdimethyldiallylammonium chloride and acrylamide and or acrylic acid;cationic homopolymers of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride; cationicpolyalkylene and ethoxypolyalkylene imines; quaternized silicones, andmixtures thereof.

By way of exemplification, cationic polymers suitable for use hereininclude cationic guar gums such as hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium guargum (d.s. of from 0.11 to 0.22) available commercially under the tradenames Jaguar C-14-S(RTM) and Jaguar C-17(RTM) and also Jaguar C-16(RTM),which contains hydroxypropyl substituents (d.s. of from 0.8-1.1) inaddition to the above-specified cationic groups, and quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose ethers available commercially under the trade namesUcare Polymer JR-30M, JR400, Catanal (RTM) and Celquat. Other suitablecationic polymers are homopolymers of dimethyldiallylammonium chlorideavailable commercially under the trade name Merquat 100, copolymers ofdimethyl aminoethylmethacrylate and acrylamide, copolymers ofdimethyldiallylammonium chloride and acrylamide, available commerciallyunder the trade names Merquat 550 and Merquat S, acrylicacid/dimethyldiallylammonium chloride/acrylamide copolymers availableunder the trade name Merquat 3300, quaternized vinyl pyrrolidoneacrylate or methacrylate copolymers of amino alcohol availablecommercially under the trade name Gafquat, for example Polyquaternium11, 23 and 28 (quaternized copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate--Gafquat 755N and HS-1 00), vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl imidazolium methochloride copolymers available underthe trade names Luviquat HM552, Polyquaternium 2, and polyalkyleneiminessuch as polyethylenimine and ethoxylated polyethylenimine.

The compositions of the invention preferably also contain from about0.1% to about 20%, preferably from about 1% to about 15%, and morepreferably from about 2% to about 10% by weight of an oil derivednonionic surfactant or mixture of oil derived nonionic surfactants. Oilderived nonionic surfactants are valuable in compositions according tothe invention for the provision of skin feel benefits both in use andafter use. Suitable oil derived nonionic surfactants for use hereininclude water soluble vegetable and animal-derived emollients such astriglycerides with a polyethyleneglycol chain inserted; ethoxylated monoand di-glycerides, polyethoxylated lanolins and ethoxylated butterderivatives. One preferred class of oil-derived nonionic surfactants foruse herein have the general formula (XII) ##STR9## wherein n is fromabout 5 to about 200, preferably from about 20 to about 100, morepreferably from about 30 to about 85, and wherein R comprises analiphatic radical having on average from about 5 to 20 carbon atoms,preferably from about 7 to 18 carbon atoms.

Suitable ethoxylated oils and fats of this class includepolyethyleneglycol derivatives of glyceryl cocoate, glyceryl caproate,glyceryl caprylate, glyceryl tallowate, glyceryl palmate, glycerylstearate, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl oleate, glyceryl ricinoleate, andglyceryl fatty esters derived from triglycerides, such as palm oil,almond oil, and corn oil, preferably glyceryl tallowate and glycerylcocoate.

Suitable oil derived nonionic surfactants of this class are availablefrom Croda Inc. (New York, USA) under their Crovol line of materialssuch as Crovol EP40 (PEG 20 evening primrose glyceride), Crovol EP 70(PEG 60 evening primrose glyceride) Crovol A40 (PEG 20 almondglyceride), Crovol A-70 (PEG 60 almond glyceride), Crovol M40 (PEG 20maize glyceride), Crovol M-70 (PEG 60 maize glyceride), Crovol PK40 (PEG12 palm kernel glyceride), and Crovol PK-70 (PEG 45 palm kernelglyceride) and under their Solan range of materials such as Solan E, E50and X polyethoxylated lanolins and Aqualose L-20 (PEG 24 lanolinalcohol) and Aqualose W15 (PEG 15 lanolin alcohol) available fromWestbrook Lanolin. Further suitable surfactants of this class arecommercially available from Sherex Chemical Co. (Dublin, Ohio, USA)under their Varonic LI line of surfactants and from Rewo under theirRewoderm line of surfactants. These include, for example, Varonic LI 48(polyethylene glycol (n=80) glyceryl tallowate, alternatively referredto as PEG 80 glyceryl tallowate), Varonic LI 2 (PEG 28 glyceryltallowate), Varonic LI 420 (PEG 200 glyceryl tallowate), and Varonic LI63 and 67 (PEG 30 and PEG 80 glyceryl cocoates), Rewoderm L15-20(PEG-200 palmitate), Rewoderm LIS80 (PEG-200 palmitate with PEG-7glyceryl cocoate) and Rewoderm LIS-75 (PEG-200 palmitate with PEG-7glyceryl cocoate) and mixtures thereof. Other oil-derived emollientssuitable for use are PEG derivatives of corn, avocado, and babassu oil,as well as Softigen 767 (PEG(6) caprylic/capric glycerides).

Also suitable for use herein are nonionic surfactants derived fromcomposite vegetable fats extracted from the fruit of the Shea Tree(Butyrospermum Karkii Kotschy) and derivatives thereof. This vegetablefat, known as Shea Butter is widely used in Central Africa for a varietyof means such as soap making and as a barrier cream, it is marketed bySederma (78610 Le Perray En Yvelines, France). Particularly suitable areethoxylated derivatives of Shea butter available from Karlshamn ChemicalCo. (Columbos, Ohio, USA) under their Lipex range of chemicals, such asLipex 102 E-75 and Lipex 102 E-3 (ethoxylated mono, di-glycerides ofShea butter) and from Croda Inc. (New York, USA) under their Crovol lineof materials such as Crovol SB-70 (ethoxylated mono, di-glycerides ofShea butter). Similarly, ethoxylated derivatives of Mango, Cocoa andlllipe butter may be used in compositions according to the invention.Although these are classified as ethoxylated nonionic surfactants it isunderstood that a certain proportion may remain as non-ethoxylatedvegetable oil or fat.

Other suitable oil-derived nonionic surfactants include ethoxylatedderivatives of almond oil, peanut oil, rice bran oil, wheat germ oil,linseed oil, jojoba oil, oil of apricot pits, walnuts, palm nuts,pistachio nuts, sesame seeds, rapeseed, cade oil, corn oil, peach pitoil, poppyseed oil, pine oil, castor oil, soybean oil, avocado oil,safflower oil, coconut oil, hazelnut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, andsunflower seed oil.

Oil derived nonionic surfactants highly preferred for use herein fromthe viewpoint of optimum mildness and skin feel characteristics areLipex 102-3 (RTM) (PEG-3 ethoxylated derivatives of Shea Butter) andSoftigen 767 (RTM) (PEG6 caprylic/capric glycerides).

The compositions according to the present invention can also compriselipophilic emulsifiers as skin care actives. Suitable lipophilic skincare actives include anionic food grade emulsifiers which comprise adi-acid mixed with a monoglyceride such as succinylated monoglycerides,monostearyl citrate, glyceryl monostearate diacetyl tartrate andmixtures thereof.

The compositions of the invention may also include an insoluble perfumeor cosmetic oil or wax or a mixture thereof at a level up to about 10%,preferably up to about 3% by weight wherein the oil or wax is insolublein the sense of being insoluble in the product matrix at a temperatureof 25° C. Addition of such oils or waxes can provide emolliency,mildness and rinsibility characteristics to personal cleansingcompositions according to the invention. It is a feature of theinvention, however, that compositions having excellent emolliency andmildness together with desirable physical attributes (clarity etc.) canbe delivered which are essentially oil-free, ie which contain less thanabout 1%, preferably less than 0.5% by weight of an added oil phase.Physically, preferred compositions of this type take the form of anoptically-clear solution or microemulsion. In compositions including anadditional perfume or cosmetic oil or wax, preferably the weight ratioof oil-derived nonionic surfactant to added oil is at least about 1:2,more especially at least about 3:1.

Suitable insoluble cosmetic oils and waxes for use herein can beselected from water-insoluble silicones inclusive of non-volatilepolyalkyl and polyaryl siloxane gums and fluids, volatile cyclic andlinear polyalkylsiloxanes, polyalkoxylated silicones, amino andquaternary ammonium modified silicones, rigid cross-linked andreinforced silicones and mixtures thereof, C₁ -C₂₄ esters of C₈ -C₃₀fatty acids such as isopropyl myristate, myristyl myristate and cetylricinoleate, C₈ -C₃₀ esters of benzoic acid, beeswax, saturated andunsaturated fatty alcohols such as behenyl alcohol, hydrocarbons such asmineral oils, petrolatum squalane and squalene, polybutene, fattysorbitan esters (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,255, Seiden, issued October26th 1976), lanolin and oil-like lanolin derivatives, animal andvegetable triglycerides such as almond oil, peanut oil, wheat germ oil,rice bran oil, linseed oil, jojoba oil, oil of apricot pits, walnuts,palm nuts, pistachio nuts, sesame seeds, rapeseed, cade oil, corn oil,peach pit oil, poppyseed oil, pine oil, castor oil, soyabean oil,avocado oil, safflower oil, coconut oil, hazelnut oil, olive oil,grapeseed oil, and sunflower seed oil, and C₁ -C₂₄ esters of dimer andtrimer acids such as diisopropyl dimerate, diisostearylmalate,diisostearyldimerate and triisostearyltrimerate.

Nonionic water-soluble cellulose ethers can be used as additional skinmoisturising agents in the compositions according to the presentinventions Widely used, commercially-available nonionic cellulose ethersinclude methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose,hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and ethyl hydroxyethylcellulose. Particularly preferred for use as moisturisation aids arehydrophobically modified hydroxy ethyl cellulose materials. Onecommercially available material suitable for use herein is NATROSOL PLUSGrade 330 CS (RTM), a hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcelluloseavailable from Aqualon Company, Wilmington, Del. This material has a C₁₆alkyl substitution of from 0.4% to 0.8% by weight. The hydroxyethylmolar substitution for this material is from 3.0 to 3.7. The averagemolecular weight for the water-soluble cellulose prior to modificationis approximately 300,000. Another material of this type is sold underthe trade name NATROSOL PLUS CS Grade D-67 (RTM), by Aqualon Company,Wilmington, Del. This material has a C₁₆ substitution of from 0.50% to0.95%, by weight. The hydroxyethyl molar substitution for this materialis from 2.3 to 3.7. The average molecular weight for the water solublecellulose prior to modification is approximately 700,000.

The present compositions can also comprise a nonionic or anionicpolymeric thickening component, especially a water-soluble polymericmaterials, having a molecular weight greater than about 20,000. By"water-soluble polymer" is meant that the material will form asubstantially clear solution in water at a 1% concentration at 25° C.and the material will increase the viscosity of the water. Examples ofwater-soluble polymers which may desirably be used as an additionalthickening component in the present compositions, arehydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid,polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-120, dextrans, for exampleDextran purified crude Grade 2P, available from D&O Chemicals,carboxymethyl cellulose, plant exudates such as acacia, ghatti, andtragacanth, seaweed extracts such as sodium alginate, propylene glycolalginate and sodium carrageenan. Preferred as the additional thickenersfor the present compositions are natural polysaccharide materials.Examples of such materials are guar gum, locust bean gum, and xanthangum. Also suitable herein preferred is hydroxyethyl cellulose having amolecular weight of about 700,000.

Additional polymeric thickening agents include acrylic acid/ethylacrylate copolymers and the carboxyvinyl polymers sold by the B.F.Goodrich Company under the trade mark of Carbopol resins. These resinsconsist essentially of a colloidally water-soluble polyalkenyl polyethercrosslinked polymer of acrylic acid crosslinked with from 0.75% to 2.00%of a crosslinking agent such as for example polyallyl sucrose orpolyallyl pentaerythritol. Examples include Carbopol 934, Carbopol 940,Carbopol 950, Carbopol 980, Carbopol 951 and Carbopol 981. Carbopol 934is a water-soluble polymer of acrylic acid crosslinked with about 1% ofa polyallyl ether of sucrose having an average of about 5.8 alkyl groupsfor each sucrose molecule. Also suitable for use herein arehydrophobically-modified cross-linked polymers of acrylic acid havingamphipathic properties available under the Trade Name Carbopol 1382,Carbopol 1342 and Pemulen TR-1 (CFTA Designation: Acrylates/10-30 AlkylAcrylate Crosspolymer). A combination of the polyalkenyl polyethercross-linked acrylic acid polymer and hydrophobically modifiedcross-linked acrylic acid polymer is also suitable for use herein.

The polymeric thickening component, if present in the compositions ofthe present invention, is at a level of from 0.3% to 5.0%, preferablyfrom 0.4% to 3.0% by weight.

Further additional thickening agents suitable for use herein includeethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol esters of a fatty acid havingfrom about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms and up to 7 ethyleneoxy units,preferably the ethylene glycol stearates, both mono and distearate, butparticularly the distearate containing less than about 7% of the monostearate, alkanolamides of fatty acids, having from about 16 to about 22carbon atoms, preferably about 16 to 18 carbon atoms such as stearicmonoethanolamide, stearic diethanolamide, stearic monoisopropanolamideand stearic monoethanolamide, alkyl (C₁₆ -C₂₂) dimethyl amine oxidessuch as stearyl dimethyl amine oxide and electrolytes such as magnesiumsulphate and sodium chloride salts. Fatty alcohol or fatty acidmaterials having from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms as thickeningcomponents are also suitable for use as thickening agents in thecompositions of the present invention. Suitable fatty acid and fattyalcohol thickeners include Laurex NC (C12/14 fatty alcohol) availablefrom Albright and Wilson and Prifac 7908 (palm kernel fatty acid)available from Unichema.

The viscosity of the final composition (Brookfield RVT DCP, 1 rpm withCone CP41 or CP52, 25° C., neat) is preferably at least about 500 cps,more preferably from about 1,000 to about 50,000 cps, especially fromabout 4,000 to about 30,000 cps, more especially from about 4,000 toabout 15,000 cps.

The cleansing compositions can optionally include other hair or skinmoisturizers which are soluble in the cleansing composition matrix. Thepreferred level of such moisturizers is from about 0.5% to about 20% byweight. In preferred embodiments, the moisturizer is selected fromessential amino acid compounds found naturally occurring in the stratumcorneum of the skin and water-soluble nonpolyol nonocclusives andmixtures thereof.

Some examples of more preferred nonocclusive moisturizers arepolybutene, squalane, sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, lactic acid,L-proline, guanidine, pyrrolidone, hydrolyzed protein and othercollagen-derived proteins, alas vera gel, acetamide MEA and lactamideMEA and mixtures thereof.

Compositions according to the present invention may also include anopacifier or pearlescing agent. Such materials may be included at alevel of from about 0.01% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% toabout 1.3% by weight. A suitable opacifier for inclusion in the presentcompositions is a polystyrene dispersion available under the trade namesLytron 621 & 631 (RTM) from Morton International.

Additional opacifiers/pearlescers suitable for inclusion in thecompositions of the present invention include: titanium dioxide, TiO₂ ;EUPERLAN 810 (RTM); TEGO-PEARL (RTM); long chain (C₁₆ -C₂₂) acylderivatives such as glycol or polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acidhaving from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms and up to 7 ethyleneoxyunits; alkanolamides of fatty acids, having from about 16 to about 22carbon atoms, preferably about 16 to 18 carbon atoms such as stearicmonoethanolamide, stearic diethanolamide, stearic monoisopropanolamideand stearic monoethanolamide and alkyl (C₁₆ -C₂₂) dimethyl amine oxidessuch as stearyl dimethyl amine oxide.

In preferred compositions the opacifier/pearlescer is present in theform of crystals. In highly preferred compositions theopacifier/pearlescer is a particulate polystyrene dispersion having aparticle size of from about 0.05 microns to about 0.45 microns,preferably from about 0.17 microns to about 0.3 microns, suchdispersions being preferred from the viewpoint of providing optimumrheology and shear-thinning behaviour. Highly preferred is styrene PVPcopolymer and Lyton 631 (RTM).

A number of additional optional materials can be added to the cleansingcompositions each at a level of from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight.Such materials include proteins and polypeptides and derivativesthereof; water-soluble or solubilizable preservatives such as DMDMHydantoin, Germall 115, methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl esters ofhydroxybenzoic acid, EDTA, Euxyl (RTM) K400, natural preservatives suchas benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate and bisabalol; sodium benzoate and2-phenoxyethanol; other moisturizing agents such as hyaluronic acid,chitin, and starch-grafted sodium polyacrylates such as Sanwet (RTM)IM-1000, IM-1500 and IM-2500 available from Celanese SuperabsorbentMaterials, Portsmith, Va., USA and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,663;solvents; anti-bacterial agents such as Oxeco (phenoxy isopropanol); lowtemperature phase modifiers such as ammonium ion sources (e.g. NH₄ Cl);viscosity control agents such as magnesium sulfate and otherelectrolytes; colouring agents; TiO₂ and TiO₂ -coated mica; perfumes andperfume solubilizers; and zeolites such as Valfour BV400 and derivativesthereof and Ca²⁺ /Mg²⁺ sequestrants such as polycarboxylates, aminopolycarboxylates, polyphosphonates, amino polyphosphonates, EDTA etc andwater softening agents such as sodium citrate. Water is also present ata level preferably of from about 15% to about 97.99%, preferably fromabout 40% to about 90%, more preferably at least about 65% by weight ofthe compositions herein.

The pH of the compositions is preferably from about 4 to about 10, morepreferably from about 6 to about 9, especially from about 5 to about 7.

The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

In the examples, all concentrations are on a 100% active basis and theabbreviations have the following designation:

    ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric 1 Cocoamphodiacetate                                               Amphoteric 2 Cocoamidopropyl hydroxy sultaine                                 Anionic 1                                                                             Sodium C10 alkyl sulphate                                             Anionic 2                                                                             Sodium laureth-3 sulfate                                              Anionic 3                                                                             Sodium laureth sulphosuccinate                                        Nonionic                                                                              PEG-3 Shea butter                                                     GA      Polyhydroxy fatty acid amide of formula IX in which R.sub.8           is C.sub.11 -C.sub.17 alkyl, R.sub.9 is methyl, and Z.sub.2 is CH.sub.2       (CHOH).sub.4 CH.sub.2 OH                                                      Polymer 1                                                                             Polymer JR-400(RTM) - hydroxyethylcellulose reacted                   with epichlorohydrin and quaternized with trimethylamine, m. wt. 4            × 10.sup.6                                                              Polymer 2                                                                             Gafquat 755N                                                          Pearlescer                                                                            Ethyleneglycoldistearate/emulsifier mixture                           Softigen 767 PEG(6) caprylic/capric glycerides                                Thickener 1                                                                           C12/14 fatty alcohol                                                  Thickener 2                                                                           PEG-200 tallowate                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES I TO XIII

The following are personal cleansing compositions in the form of showergel or bath foam products and which are representative of the presentinvention:

    ______________________________________                                        I         II    III   IV  V   VI  VII VIII IX  X   XI  XII                    ______________________________________                                        Anionic 1                                                                            4.0    4.0   2.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.0  2.0 5.0 1.0                                                   2.0                                                                           Anionic 2 10.0  -- -- -- 2.0 5.0 -- -- 3.0 2.                                 0 3.0 --                                                                      Anionic 3 -- -- 5.0 5.0 -- -- 3.0 -- -- -- --                                  --                                                                           Ampho- -- 3.0 3.0 -- 1.0 -- -- 2.0 -- -- 2.0                                  2.0                                                                           teric 1                                                                       Ampho- -- -- -- 3.0 -- -- 1.0 -- -- -- -- --                                  teric 2                                                                       Betaine 5.0 -- -- -- -- 3.0 3.0 -- 4.0 3.0 --                                  --                                                                           GA -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5.0 -- 3.0 3.0 5.0                                    Nonionic -- -- -- -- -- 1.0 1.0 -- -- 1.0 --                                  1.0                                                                           Polymer 1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 --                                  -- 0.1 0.1                                                                    Polymer 2 0.1 -- -- -- -- 0.1 0.1 -- -- -- --                                  --                                                                           Softigen -- -- -- -- -- 1.0 -- 0.1 -- 1.0 --                                  1.0                                                                           767                                                                           Thickener -- -- -- -- -- 0.5 -- -- -- -- 0.5                                  --                                                                            1                                                                             Thickener -- -- -- 1.0 -- -- 0.5 0.5 0.5 -- -                                 - 0.5                                                                         2                                                Water  to 100                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Compositions I to XII are prepared by firstly dispersing thewater-soluble or colloidally water-soluble polymeric rheology modifierin water at 25° C. either in a Tri-blender (RTM) or by extended stirringprior to neutralisation with NaOH or alternative base mixture andhydration. In examples II, IV and VI the mixture can be heated to about50° C. to enhance dispersion efficiency. Next the solubilisation agentis added with further stirring. The surfactants and other skin careagents can then be added along with the remaining water-soluble,oil-insoluble ingredients. In compositions which comprisewater-insoluble ingredients an oil phase B is formed from theseoil-soluble ingredients which is then admixed with A at ambienttemperature. The polymeric dispersion is then added to the ambienttemperature mix and finally the remaining water, preservative, opacifierand perfume are added.

The compositions have a viscosity (Brookfield RVT DCP, 1 rpm with ConeCP41 or CP52, 25° C., neat) in the range of from 500 to 50,000 cps,preferably from 1,000 to 10,000 cps.

The products provide excellent in-use and efficacy benefits includingmildness, skin conditioning, skin moisturising, good product stability,cleansing, lathering and excellent rinsibility.

We claim:
 1. A liquid personal cleansing composition comprising:(a) fromabout 1% to about 15% by weight or short chain alkyl sulphate surfactanthaving on average from 8 to about 10 carbon atoms on the alkyl chain andmixtures thereof; (b) from about 1% to about 60% or water-solubleauxiliary surfactant selected from anionic surfactants other than C₈ toC₁₀ alkyl sulphates, nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactantsand mixtures thereof; (c) from about 0.01% to about 5% of cationicconditioning polymer selected from the group consisting of cationicpolysaccharides; cationic homopolymercan copolymers derived from acrylicacid, methacrylic acid and mixtures thereof; cationic cellulose resins;cationic copolymers or dimethsldiallyalmmonium chloride, acrylamide andacrylic acid, cationic homopolymers of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride;cationic polyalkylene and ethoxypolyalkylene imines, and mixturesthereof; and (d) water.
 2. A composition according to claim 1 whereinthe short chain alkyl sulphate comprises at least about 80% by weight ofC₁₀ alkyl sulphate.
 3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein theshort chain alkyl sulphate is present at a level of from about 1% toabout 10%.
 4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the compositionhas a viscosity (Brookfield RVT DCP, 1 rpm with Cone CP41 or CP52, 25°C., neat) in the range from 500 to 50,000 cps.
 5. A compositionaccording to claim 1 wherein the cationic polymeric skin conditioningagent has a mass average molecular weight in the range from about 2000about 5,000,000.
 6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein thecationic conditioning polymer is present at a level of from about 0.05%to about 4% by weight.
 7. A composition according to claim 1 wherein theamphoteric surfactant is selected from:(a) imidazolinium derivatives offormula ##STR10## wherein R₁ is C₇ -C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl, R₂ is hydrogenof CH₂ Z, each Z is independently CO₂ or CH₂ CO₂ M, and M is H, alkalimetal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or alkanolammonium; and/forammonium derivatives of formula ##STR11## wherein R₁, R₂ and Z are asdefined above: (b) aminoalkanoates of formula

    R.sub.1 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.n CO.sub.2 M

iminodialkanoates of formula

    R.sub.1 N[(CH.sub.2).sub.m CO.sub.2 M].sub.2

and iminopolyalkanoates of formula (VII) ##STR12## wherein n, m, p, andq are numbers from 1 to 4, and R₁ and M are independently selected fromthe groups specified above; and (c) mixtures thereof.
 8. A compositionaccording to claim 7 wherein the amphoteric is selected fromimidazolinium derivatives of formula III and/or ammonium derivatives offormula IV.
 9. A composition according to claim 1 wherein thewater-soluble auxiliary anionic surfactant is selected from ethoxylatedalkyl sulfates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, methyl acyl taurates,fatty acyl glycinates, alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, N-acyl glutamates,acyl isethionates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ethoxy sulphosuccinates,alpha-sulfonated fatty acids, their salts and/or their esters, alkylphosphate esters, ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters, acyl sarcosinatesand fatty acid/protein condensates, and mixtures thereof.
 10. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein the auxiliary anionicsurfactant comprises an ethoxylated C₁₂ -C₂₂ alkyl sulfate.
 11. Acomposition according to claim 1 which additionally comprises from about0.1% to about 20% by weight of an auxiliary nonionic surfactant selectedfrom C₁₂ -C₁₄ fatty acid mono-and diethanolamides and polyhydroxy fattyacid amide surfactants.
 12. A composition according to claim 1 whereinthe zwitterionic surfactant is selected from alkyl betaine, amidobetaine, alkyl sultaine and mixtures thereof.
 13. A compositionaccording to claim 1 comprising a mixture of auxiliary anionic withzwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants and wherein the level of theindividual anionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactant components isin the range from about 1% to 15% by weight.
 14. A composition accordingto claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of auxiliary anionic surfactant:zwitterionic and/or amphoteric surfactant is in the range of from about1:2 to about 6:1.
 15. A composition according to claim 1 wherein theauxiliary anionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants togethercomprise from about 8% to about 35%.
 16. A composition according toclaim 1 comprising from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of nonionicsurfactant selected from ethoxylated oils or fats having the formula(XII) ##STR13## wherein n is from about 5 to 200, preferably from about20 to about 100, more preferably from about 30 to about 85, and whereinR comprises an aliphatic radical having an average from about 5 to 20carbon atoms, preferably from about 9 to 20 atoms, more preferably fromabout 11 to 18 carbon atoms, most preferably from about 12 to 16 carbonatoms.
 17. A composition according to claim 1 additionally comprising upto about 20% by weight of perfume or cosmetic oil.
 18. A compositionaccording to claim 1 additionally comprising moisturiser selected fromsodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, L-proline and mixtures thereof.